LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS... but British?! | ★★★★ review of the 2024 Sheffield Crucible musical revival

[@DarkKnight-pe3ex]

Wear the glasses so you can seymore.

[@Philippadrinkstea]

You win the comment section 😂

[@magsstorey]

We are using a giant Audrey 2 stage prop as our Christmas tree this year. Have a stagey Christmas. :)

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

Sounds incredible, likewise!!

[@princee.mayes-sullivan6605]

Are you sure you won't have the title Director in the future? Your passionate reviews and ideas about the shows are very detailed. The eye of a director!

[@outandaboutwithBen]

I saw this last Wednesday with my Mum. We had a blast. Both loved it. I've seen the movie but never seen it in the theatre, so nothing to compare stage wise for me. But I really enjoyed the modern set up. Seymour being a Brummie really worked and Colin Ryan smashed it. All the cast had great vocals, but oh my, Sam Buttery, that voice was so powerful, absolutely epic. Loved the show

[@fashionablechangeling2003]

With the human Audrey 2, Ensemble members acting as an extension, entourage and red lighting for the deaths, this is bringing me back to when I co-directed the show at college. We did the same things to bring the plant to life.

[@DCatastropheWaitress]

Hey Dear, Elder Millennial here and I'd bet good money that the urchins in all-white was a reference to the R&B group TLC when they won the Grammy for Waterfalls.

[@joekr4551]

They did the live Audrey 2 with latrice royal in the ogunquit playhouse in Maine version of little shop starring Talia suskauer this year.

[@lovelylexi2076]

I saw that production and I loved it!!

[@alandickinson9064]

I first saw little Shop when I was 40. I am now 80 .

[@elincharles3514]

I loved it! Had a great time watching 😊 was a bit taken aback at the beginning cause I didn't expect to hear English accents but once I'd gotten used to it I had a great time watching 😁 I really liked the set design also

[@AxisOAnarchy]

Not sure if anyone in the comments knows but Colin Ryan who is playing Seymour was in the episode "Knock Knock" of Doctor Who. He's also incredibly popular internationally as the current voice actor for Alphinaud Leveilleur in Final Fantasy XIV and was also in CBBC's Leonardo as Lorenzo di Medici.

[@pollyajohns]

I took some of my GCSE Drama students. They loved it! Most of them were new to Little Shop so didn't know what to expect but they were thrilled. I'm a long time Little Shop fan, seen loads of productions and this is actually my favorite. I had a couple of small critiques but overall it was fab. Hoping it tours or something or maybe ends up streamed somewhere.

[@charlesanderson5816]

Great to hear about a new take on such a classic musical. I was very lucky to have seen Ellen Green and Claire Moore, the second time I saw the show, original London cast and, at the then at the Comedy Theatre, home of The Rocky Horror Show, now the Harold Pinter.

[@minirth.maggie]

You're a secret glasses wearer?!? Welcome to the family! 😎 I love this concept, it sounds fun! I've never seen this live, but the music is so good. Skid Row (Downtown) and Somewhere That's Green have so much yearning and heart. I love them both.

[@charlesanderson5816]

Thanks

[@daveatron_]

Was literally here this afternoon!! The British accents was so weird but it grew on me (lol). The second i realised I was like oh my god I'm gonna HATE this.... In the end it was ok, brummie Seymour was rather charming and of course who doesn't love a British villain? Though some of the lines could have done with more of an edit - sure, they changed dollars to pounds, but an "interstate"?? babes i think you mean a motorway. I also usually prefer a big plant monster plant (the talking reveal is so much better when it's more clearly a plant) but this interpretation of a more human Audrey ii worked really well I think, especially as it got bigger

[@aerials_etc]

Only 0:18 into this video but @mickeyjo YES, YES YOU SHOULD WEAR YOUR GLASSES. They are very cute.

[@RaymondNYC1]

I don't really think it matters if an accent is true to where the story takes place. I've never heard Romeo & Juliet performed in an Italian accent, or The Crucible performed in a Massachusetts accent, etc. As long as it's a good production, audiences won't be that nit-picky.

[@minirth.maggie]

The Crucible with nothing but broad Boston accents would be hilarious!

[@elhadf26]

I saw the show today and wondered if you’d made a video about it - here it is haha. I enjoyed the show - not the best Sheff Theatres production I’ve seen but fun nevertheless. Some strong performances, I felt the show was most successful when leaning into the silliness or in the moments between Audrey and Seymour. I liked the regional accents after a moment to get used to them, however I did find some of the details jarring where lines or lyrics had quite dated/American references. I liked the personification of the plant - it worked best for me in the second act with more than one performer offering their limbs as tendrils building up to the final numbers. That initial reveal needed something a little more I think in the transition from puppet to performer. Otherwise I enjoyed the set design and lighting, and always love returning to the Crucible as it’s one of my favourite theatres. It’s an entertaining afternoon out before Christmas, I’d be inclined to give it a 3.5/5

[@LightningRound1st]

Some of this sounds really good. I think the show is near perfect--Howard Ashman was a genius! I completely agree that the venue needs to be smaller. That was really obvious with the Broadway show. I love what you described of the usage of video. The performers sound wonderful. I do take a huge exception of the human Audrey 2. With the plant, there are several moments that are "shocking' for the audience, especially the reveal after the Dentist's feast; every time I've seen the show, including the Broadway version, the audience gasps. It added fun and a few chills. There is just no way to replicate that with people. A plant also emphasizes the otherworldliness and mystery of Audry 2. You're never sure of what the plant is and what its plan is. Seeing the actual eating of people is pretty magical, especially the second to last person that offers themself. It also helps the audience suspend their disbelief.

[@krystalhuntress6795]

20:25 OH MY GOD I would love to see that version of the Meek Shall Inherit SO MUCH It's honestly my favourite song apart from Skid Row

[@adamgreenwood9785]

Sounds really interesting! I have my own idea of how to stage the show leaning far more into the horror and definitely very different - happy to discuss it with any potential directors of amatuer groups or professional :D

[@thequeenn00b]

Green is such a good color on you!

[@cameronclarkhull]

I saw the uk tour of little shop earlier this year in Hull. Really enjoyed it, but apparently there was a massive tiff with the cast backstage

[@alexandermallett1852]

Out of interest are you planning to cover My Fair Lady at the Curve? It’s an awesome production!

[@alexandriaadamsonmusic-aut4575]

I’ve often been intrigued and curious about this, as a theatre creative, the idea of producing shows like a British take on LSOH is brilliant, but also been interested reimagining shows like Jekyll and Hyde to its historical roots in Scotland, possibly even LSOH could be reimagined as “Wee Shop…”?

[@jenicat55]

I want this to tour north so badly!

[@helensfairyknits]

Im going to see this show after Xmas. I was a bit put off by the post they made using their own accents . Glad you’ve given it a 4 star review

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

It's something to get your head around for sure, but I got used to it pretty quick!

[@helensfairyknits]

I saw it in Birmingham probably 15 years ago. Every cast member also played an instrument

[@ryebread9299]

Oh my god YAY 🎉

[@MadelynKontis]

Yes! Wear your glasses! I thought you had contacts in other videos.

[@rhodeisland9096]

OMG Mickey Jo years ago are you feeling alright? You managed to do an introduction that was only two and a bit of minutes long. lol merry Christmas if I don’t catch a video before Christmas

[@sherimarvin5938]

I love all your NYC and other videos but, as an American, I'm missing your Christmas Panto reviews

[@chasemorrisette4140]

Skid row could be anywhere. It isn't a literal location, it refers to the slums and their state of mind. And Lovette town is a fictional place, it's a humorous part (love it town), Audrey wants it - she loves it, hence Lovette - love it

[@rattyxoxo7397]

All lyrics I’ve found specifically refer to Levittown, which refers to a series of suburban developments in various places across America. This also is relevant when speaking to the Urchins since Levittown housing excluded non-white homeowners, showing Audrey’s romanticised image of the American Dream.

[@chasemorrisette4140]

@rattyxoxo7397 it being white only is NEVER said or reference. That is fk up

[@Javachacin]

Omg it’s Clark Kent Mickey Jo - coincidence??

[@professorwright1428]

I haven't seen this production but honestly, in 2024, I have no time for any production of Little Shop of Horrors that has any of the Urchins played by a white person. Those are black characters, the original libretto lists them as black, the licensing strongly advises them to be cast as such, they are named for all black girl groups, they speak in AAVE and every major production has cast them as such to the point where only black actresses are considered in the Off-Broadway run. It is simply inappropriate to cast them any other way, roles exclusively for non white actors are so rare that it's simply appalling a professional theatre thought it was okay.

[@beckyvan-orden7540]

I get what you’re saying, but I would argue that the UK setting mitigates the requirement for casting POC as the urchins as our most deprived areas have a much more diverse mix of ethnic backgrounds than is the case in the US. You’ll also find AAVE being used widely in that environment as well, though in their respective regional accent obviously. If this production is choosing to reflect the British inner city experience, then white people in poverty is pretty authentic (and another way in which it is consciously departing from the US versions of the show)

[@professorwright1428]

@@beckyvan-orden7540 Honestly, literally fuck that. There are black people in England. You don't get to white wash just because you changed the setting.

[@rhodeisland9096]

Mickey, don’t you have contacts lenses? The only issue I can see from using your glasses as that you get a reflection of your ring lights. When I just paused for it your ring lights reflected around your eyes looking like you had glowing green eyes. ❤

[@beatrixflynn5126]

Its a strange choice to have the urchins not all be black. Thats an essential part of the character, written into the American licensing of the show. Its like casting an all white Rent. Also cant say I love the way Jews (specifically this Jewish American comic culture, as opposed to sad jews in straight plays about sad jews) are constantly erased in British theater. It always shocks me how non-Jewish the UK theater is. Its a noticed absence.

[@MathewBoyles]

Hi how are you doing?

[@TheTradge]

I wanted to enjoy this more, but the mismatch of the accents and perceived UK setting against the distinctly American music style, lyrics and book were just too distracting. There were occasional attempts to make it less US sounding, like replacing the “gee” in Skid Row with something else I can’t remember, but then they started talking about “every home in America” having an Audrey II, which I suppose you could interpret as it having international appeal, but I don’t think this was made particularly clear. Performances though were fantastic, creative elements I really enjoyed, and I love what they did with the plant.

[@CarinRuff]

Wear the glasses! They're cute! But consider not having the side ring light on camera? I'm so extremely glare-phobic that I can't even look at one in a video. I know, that's me...